Jabalpur – After sifting through hundreds of photographs of loveable rescued cats – as well as their rescue stories – the judges have selected Kushboo, whose guardian is Pooja Rao of Jabalpur, as one of 10 finalists in People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India’s Cutest Rescued Cat Alive contest. Kushboo had wounds all over her legs when she was rescued. After Rao treated them and gave her some TLC, Kushboo recovered and is now healthy and happy.

“I rescued her and brought her home. She had wounds all around her nails and legs. I cleaned her wounds and applied medicine”, Rao says. “I feel my family is complete.”

“Kushboo is a lucky cat, indeed, and she has returned the favour of being rescued by bringing much love and joy into her guardian’s life”, says PETA India CEO Poorva Joshipura. “All rescued cats are already winners because their lives were saved by people who love them for who they are.”

PETA India is holding the contest to urge prospective guardians to adopt a vulnerable cat from the streets or an animal shelter instead of buying kittens. Pet shops and breeders often keep animals in dismal conditions, and they contribute to the companion-animal overpopulation crisis by churning out animals to sell. Animals purchased from pet shops are also often bought on impulse and discarded when buyers tire of them.

The guardian of the lucky kitty who is named the Cutest Rescued Cat Alive will receive a certificate, a copy of Ingrid Newkirk and Jane Ratcliffe’s book One Can Make a Difference, a “My Cat Is a Rescue” T-shirt, a PETA T-shirt and a cute cat toy. The second-place winner’s guardian will receive a certificate, a copy of the book, a “My Cat Is a Rescue” T-shirt and a cat toy. The third-place winner will receive a certificate, a copy of the book and a cat toy. The top three kitties will appear in an upcoming issue of Animal Times, PETA India’s magazine for members.

To read all the finalists’ rescue stories and to vote for your favourite to help PETA decide whom it should choose as the winner, visit PETAIndia.com. PETA will select the winner and runners-up based on several factors, including vote count. See the full contest details here. Voting to help PETA decide whom it should choose as the winner ends on 11 August.